Brassiere



Nov. 16, 1948. J. GLICK 2,454,151

BRAS S IERE Filed Jan. 25. 1945 j INVENTOR @/A m GL/CK ATToR Y Patented Nov. .16, 1948 Corporation, New York New York N. Y., a corporation of Application January 25, 1945, SerialNo. 574,565

3 Claims.

This invention relates to brassires. More particularly, the invention deals with garmentsv of this kind wherein the breast. pocket portions. of the garment are composed of inner and outer. facing sheets of substantially the same construction and finish, thus rendering the garment reversible in use. Further the invention deals with a supporting strap construction for garments of the class described which are for themost part arranged within and between the separate facings of the pockets and freely movable therein. Still further, the invention deals with supporting straps including stiffening members or strips, providing relatively stiff supporting mediums for the lower portions of the breasts andiacilitating maintenance of the breasts in raised youthful position. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from-the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in whichthe separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of -theviews, and in-1 which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view .of one. form of brassiere which I employ, with part of theconstruction broken away. i r V Y Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the reverse side of the front central portion of the -brassire..

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing other parts of the construction broken away and showing a modification. v

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 on an enlarged scale, showing only a part of the construction and showing another form of construction which I employ.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional- -view-of a part of the construction shown in Fig. 4, the section being substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional View on the line 66 of Fig. 2. V I

In Figs. 1 and .2.of the drawing I have shownone adaptation of my-invention, and in these figures, l and H show two substantially similar pockets, the pocket It! being formed with upper and lower parts 12 and I3, and the pocket ll from corresponding upper and lower parts l4 and [5, the parts of each.pocket being joinedby curved seams l6 and I! which extendacross the nipple portions of each pocket.

The parts I2, l3 l4 and,.lv of eachpocket are duplicated, or. in othenwords, are composed of inner and outer sheets of fabric. While v the seams lt and ll. may join,the innereandaouter sheets, .this -is, not .absolutely essential 1T0 1111151? trate this formation of the pockets, I have shown in Fig; -6,of the drawing a detailed sectional view through the partll of the pocket H, It will be noted that the part 14 is composed of inner and outer sheets l8 and I9 having their edges inturned, as seen at I8a and Na, and stitched together as seen at 20. These stitchings extend around the bordering edges of all of the parts l2-I5 in identical types of stitchings.

Inwardly of the stitchings 20, all of the parts l2l5 have other stitchings 2| which form what might be termed wide marginal portions on the pockets and which form of the marginal portions what might be termed wide band portions. The inturned edges produce a neat and finished appearance and also adapts the garment for the reversible use. While both sheets I8 and I9 may be of the same color and texture, on the other hand, they may be of different colors or of the same general colorbut different materials. Thus a single garment is adaptable for different uses, and when different colors are employed, it will be preferred that the shoulder straps as at 22 and 23 will be double faced. to present colors consistent with or corresponding to the colors on the two faces of the. garment to adapt it for the reversible use. The straps 22 and 23 have buckles 24 and 25 for adjustment of the shoulder straps.

Each pocket includes a side and back strap portion 21 and 28 detachably coupled in any desired manner at the back of the garment, as seen at 29, this coupling being made to suit the reversible use of the garment. The straps 21 and 28 are also preferably provided with elastic inserts 3G and 3| to provide a yieldable mounting of the brassire upon the body of the wearer. It will appear that the shoulder straps 22 and 23 are coupled with the respective back straps 21 and 2 8. The back straps will also be composed of two facings secured together in the same manner as the facings l8 and l 9 united with the sides of the pockets l B and l l in vertical side seams which do not show in the present illustration but which are quite well known in this art. Side seams would be substantially at the points indicated at 32 and 33 of Fig. 1. 1

Each pocket or the parts lZ-M thereof have extending integral strap ends 34 and 35 respectively, which'cross each other centrally of the front of the garment and extend through elongated button-hole type openings formed only in the inner surface sheets of the part l3 and I5, as seen at 36 and 3'! in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The openings 36 and 31 are arranged inwardly of but adjacent the seamed ends 38 "and 39 of the parts i3 and I5, which seamed ends serve to secure an elastic member 48 within and between said ends in providing free relative movement of the pockets H and l i one with respect to the other in adapting the garment tofit about the body of the wearer and also in supporting the lower portions l3 and i5 upon the breasts.

The straps 34 and have elastic strap members 4| and 42 secured to their ends, which strap members are attached to the side seams as at 33 and 32. The upper central portions of the parts l2 and I4 have elastic or other straps 43 and 44 to which the shoulder straps 22 and 23 are coupled through the medium of the buckles 24 and 25.

With a brassiere of the type and kind disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, it will appear that the strap members 34 and 35 form supports for the lower portions of the breasts extending from the lower portion of the side seams to the central top portion of the upper portion of an opposed pocket for example, the lift of the strap 34 extends from the side seam 33 to the upper central portion of the pocket It, whereas with the strap 35, it extends from the side seam 32 to the upper central portion of the'pocket II. This lift or support is taken up directly by the shoulder straps, and the support is yieldable through the medium of the elastic straps 4| and 42 and through the straps 43 and 44 when the latter are composed of elastic material. This construction together with the elastic coupling provides free relative movement of the pockets i5 and H one with respect to the other.

In one use of the garment, for example as shown in Fig. l. of the drawing, the strap 40 is arranged outwardly and the straps 34 and 35 are crossed with respect to each other at the rear of the strap 40. In the reversed use of the garment, as shown in, Fig. 2, the straps 34 and 35 arearranged outwardly of the strap 45. In both uses, the major portion of the straps 34 and 35 are disposed between the inner and outer facing sheets of the parts l3 and I5 so that in both uses, the movement of the straps is not transmitted directly or frictionally to the body of the wearer. This provides a free unbinding action of the strap members.

In Fig. 3 of the drawing is shown a slight modification. of the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and as this modification deals primarily with the strap members 34 and 35, these parts only will be dealt with, except in identifying the pockets l0 and l i by the reference characters Illa and I la, the side and back bands as 210, and 28a and the strap members as 3411 and 35a. As all parts of the construction with the exception of the strap members 34a and 35a are the same, the brief description of Figs. 1 and 2 will equally apply to Fig. 3, but the reference characters are omitted for sake of clarity.

The sole difference in the straps 34a and 35a is in the inclusion of reinforcing or stiffening members 45 and 46 therein. These stiffening members extend from the strap ends 4? and 48 to a transverse stop stitch 49 and 50 on each strap respectively, so as to position the stiffening members 45 and 45 below the central portion of each pocket and upwardly to inner lower side portions of the pocket. Thus providing what might be termed a more substantial or firmer support for the lower portions of the breasts as well as the inner adjacent portions of the breasts. These stiffening members may be composed of fiat thin strips of plastic material or any other material that will stand washing and laundering. In some instances, a fairly heavy pad of felt would be beneficial, or even a strip of fairly thick rubber. In using thin plastic material, this material should have longitudinal flexibility to fit the curvature of the breasts.

In Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing I have shown another modification, particularly in the method of constructing the strap members 34 and 35. In Fig. 4, one breast pocket 5| only is shown. For example, a pocket similar to the pocket in, and at 52 is shown a strap member which would be equivalent to the strap member 35, extending from a companion pocket not shown. This strap member is enlarged transversely to form a wide sectional portion 53, particularly of such form with respect to its upper edge as to fit around the lower portion of the breast and in the enlarged or widened strap member is arranged a stiffening member 54 shaped to conform with the contour of the strap member. With this wider construction of strap member 52, it is preferred that two elastic straps 55 and 55 be employed in coupling the strap end to the side seam as for example at '51. In other words, the stiffening member 54, constructed of material similar to the members 45 and 46 is of greater width to provide a greater support for the lower portion of the breast, particularly centrally thereof. This construction will provide a fairly rigid shield like member in which the breast will rest and be supported. This type of construction would be particularly desirable with brassieres employing pockets of the larger sizes, whereas the structure as shown in Fig. 3 would be ample to care for brassires employing the smaller size pockets.

In Fig. 5 of the drawing is shown a cross section through the wide portion 53 of the strap 52 to illustrate the stifiening member 54 as disposed between inner and outer facings 58 and 59, from which the strap 52 is constructed. This illustration is also made in order to show a pre-curvature formed transversely of the member 54 to conform with the breast and particularly in illustrating the outwardly curved lower edge portion 60 which would fit the body of the wearer beneath the breast. The contour illustrated in Fig. 5 would be a contour assumed by any reinforcing or stiffening member that might be employed substantially as it would appear in use or as prefabricated when this member is composed of plastic or similar material. When pre-shaped in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5, the construction will be applied to garments having a one-way use. However, when straight strips or sheets of material are employed as stiffening members, the reversible use is possible.

In considering reversible types of garments, it will be understood that one facing sheet or member of the brassiere may be composed of lace or open-work material, and in some instances a net, whereas the other facing of a closely woven fabric. Insofar as the structure of the brassiere is concerned and the use of the crossed straps extending to the side seams, it will also be apparent that this construction is applicable to what might be termed single faced garments or garments wherein the lower portions only of the breast pockets are provided with inner facings of netting or other suitable material. When two facings are employed on the lower portion of the pockets, the straps will be disposed between, the two facings.

It will be understood that the method of. attaching the facings of all parts of the brassiere,

as specifically illustrated in Fig. 6 and applied to the brassire as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is applicable to the brassieres as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. This construction provides neat and finished edges throughout the entire garment and dispenses with the use of the reinforcing or bordering strips which have been commonly used on garments of the type and kind under consideration to finish as well as reinforce the edges of the garment.

Having fully described by invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A brassiere comprising two similar pockets, means comprising side and back bands and shoulder straps for mounting the brassire upon the 1 body of a wearer, means coupling adjacent portions of the pockets, bust supporting members extending from inner edge portions of the pockets to outer side edges of opposed pockets, said members being crossed intermediate the pockets, said members including firm stiiiening elements extending throughout the major portion of the length thereof and arranged upon lower portions of the pockets, said pockets comprising inner and outer facings for the entire pockets adapting the brassiere to reversible use, and the major portion of said members being freely disposed between said inner and outer facings.

2. A brassiere comprising two similar pockets, means comprising side and back bands and shoulder straps for mounting the brassiere upon the body of a wearer, means coupling adjacent portions of the pockets, bust supporting members extending from inner edge portions of the pockets to outer side edges of opposed pockets, said members being crossed intermediate the pockets, said members including firm stiffening elements extending throughout the major portion of the length thereof and arranged upon lower portions of the pockets, said pockets comprising inner and outer facings for the entire pockets adapting the brassire to reversible use, the major portion of said members being freely disposed between said inner and outer facings,

tending throughout the major portion of the length thereof and arranged upon lower portions of the pockets, said pockets comprising inner and outer facings for the entire pockets adapting the brassire to reversible use, the major portion of said members being freely disposed betweeen said inner and outer facings, each pocket having means at adjacent portions thereof for admission of the members between the inner and outer facings of the pockets, and that portion of said members centrally of the pockets being of greater width than the adjacent portions of said members.

JACK GLICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Rasch Nov. 24, 1936 Becker, et a1 Sept. 27, 1938 Yerkes Oct. 25, 1938 Gluckin Apr. 4, 1939 Rubinstein Dec. 26, 1939 Rosenthal, et a1. Nov. 26, 1940 Glick Dec. 28, 1943 Gluckin Apr. 1'7, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Apr. 1'7, 1924 Number Number 

